Submergible barge



Dec. 5, 1961 3,011,317

P. A. WOLFF 'SUBMERGIBLE BARGE Filed Nov. 29, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 o o 0 V8 0 o 2a\@ g ao INVENTOR H63 2 PAUL OLFF ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1961 P. A. WOLFF 3,011,317

SUBMERGIBLE BARGE Filed Nov; 29, 1956 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR P UL WOLFF ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1961 P. A. WOLFF SUBMERGIBLE BARGE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 29, 1956 ATTORNEY Uted States ateint fice 3,011,317 SUBMERGIBLE BARGE- Paul A. Woltr, Morgan City, La., assignor to Kerr-Mc- Gee Oil Industries, Inc., a corporationfof Delaware Filed Nov. 2S, 1956, Ser. No. 625,141 6 Claims. (Cl. 61-465) This invention relates to improvements in submersible barges for submarine operations such as submersible barges designed for oifshore deep well drilling operations.

In the prior art, pontoons associated with a main structure adapted to carry equipment for submarine oper ations have been used to improve the stability of the barges especially during :submer-gence and refloating operations. Power operated means such as hydraulic rams have also been used for moving the pontoons heightwise with respect to the main structure to assist in controlling the buoyancy of the barge. However, the operating range of such power operated means is limited so that, in the event of deep Water operations, it is necessary to disconnect or otherwise render the power operated means inoperative while it is being adjusted to change its operating range. As the power operated means positions the pontoons and transmits their buoyancy to the barge, adjustment of the power operated means presents the problem of preventing loss of thebuoyant effect of the pontoons which would disturb the stability of the barge. This problem is overcome, in accordance with one feature of my invention, by the provision of means which are arranged to lock the pontoon to the barge so as toprevent relative heightwise movement of the two during the periodwhen the power operated means is ineffectual thereby ensuring that the stability of the barge is maintained at all times.

During drilling operations, it is normal for the pontoons to be pressed against the bottom to increase the stability of the barge. When the time comes to move the barge, raising of the pontoons is frequently made difficult by the suction that has formed between the pontoon and the bottom. The suction may be broken by lifting one end of the pontoon thus causing atilting of the pontoon with respect to the bottom. In the illustrated barge, this tilting movement is effected by heightwise movement of one of the power operated means accompanied, if desired, by a controlled removal of ballast from the pontoon; however, as the pontoons move in a straight line heightwise of the main structure, provision must be made for a limited lateral movement in the connection between the pontoons and the main structure to accommodate for the tilting movement of the pontoon.

Another feature of my invention relates to the novel means permitting such relative movement. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of this feature of my invention, these means include provision for limited relative movement incorporated in the coupling between the pontoon and the guide means which control the path of heightwise movement of the pontoon with respect to the main structure.

The above and other objects and features of the present invention will be more fully apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment of my invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a submersible barge constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view partially in section of the submersible barge shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pontoon supporting frame; I

FIG. 4 is aside elevation of the pontoon supporting frame mounted on one end of the'pontoon showing de-- means on the barge;

tails of its connection with the guide and FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the base portion of the pontoon supporting frame mounted on the other end of the pontoon showing details of its connection to the guide means on the barge.

Referring now to the drawings in which like numbers indicate similar elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 discloses a submersible barge comprising a main structure consisting of a hull-10 of substantially rec- I tangular form provided with a central drilling slot .12

extending inwardly from the forward end of the hull, open structure 14 extending upwardly from the upper deck:

of the hull 10 and a working platform 16 supported by the open work structure in spaced relation above the hull 10. As illustrated, the open work structure 14 comprises a plurality of longitudinally and transversely spaced vertically disposed columns 18 stabilized by interconnecting angularly disposed base members .20. The

working platform 16 is adapted to support suitable equipment for a submarine operation such as a drilling derrick positioned above the drilling slot 12. The structure so far described is similar to that disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 541,998, filed October 21, 1955,

entitled Submersible Barge for Submarine Operations..

The depth of the hull 10 and the height of the columns 18 determine the maximum depth of the submarine operation, the height of the columns 18 being determined by the depth of the water in which the barge is to operate.

For deep water drilling, the column members may exa plurality of ballast compartments, not shown, and means also not shown are provided for introducing" and re: movingwater ballast from the compartments to control the buoyancy of the pontoon and the main section. The

means for introducing and removing waterballast from the compartments may be of any conventionaljconstruca:

tion and does not constitute tion. The path of heightwise movement of the pontoons 22, 24 with respect to the main structure is controlled by. guide means comprising a pair of vertical stanchions'26, 28 located respectively near the forward and aft end of the hull'and substantially flush with its sides. A similarly arranged pair of stanchions 27, 29 are provided on the opposite side of the hull. As is shown in FIG. 1, each stanchion extends upwardly from the hull to a position above the deck of the working platform and is provided on its outboard side with a guide rail 30 which cooperates with guide means on the pontoon, to be described later, to control the path of heightwise movement of the pontoons with respect to the main structure of the barge.

Inasmuch as'the structures for connecting the pontoons 22 and 24 to the main structure and for controlling their heightwise movement are the same, applicants mechanism will be described with particular reference to the structures on the starboard pontoon 22 and their connections with guide rails 30 on the stanchions 26, 28, it being understood that a similar arrangement applies to the port pontoon 24 and the guides on its adjacent stanchions 27, 29. Controlled force is applied to the a part of the present invenforward end of the pontoon 22 by a hydraulically operat-' Patented Dec. 5, 1961 v the pontoon. Heightwise movement of the aft end of the pontoon 22 is controlled by a similar arrangement consisting of a hydraulic ram 38 connected atits upper end to the guide 30 on stanchion 28 by an anchoring means 40 and at its lower end'to an A-frame 42 mounted on the aft end of the pontoon.

A-frames 36, 42 consist of a base 44 pivoted to swing about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pontoon by pins 46, 48 mounted on lugs 50, 51 projecting up from the top of the pontoons. Extending upward from the inner ends of the bases 44 are posts 52 which terminate in heads 54 carrying O-shaped bearing shoes 55 that slidably fit over the guide rails 30. The heads 54 are braced by tubular bracing members 56, '58 extending from the outer ends of the bases 44- to the sides of the heads 54. The bases 44 of the .A-frames are connected to C-shaped bearing shoes 60 which slidably fit over guide rails 30 as is best shown in- FIGS. 4 and 5. Thus, the pontoon carrying A-frames 36, 42 through their connections with the spaced C-shaped bearing shoes 55, 66 control the pathof heightwise movement of the pontoon.

The operating range of the hydraulic rams 32, 38 is limited and in deep water operations it may be necessary to change the position of the anchoring means 34, 46 several times to adapt the operating range of the rams to the extent of submersion of the barge during a submerging or raising operation. To provide for this adjustment, the anchoring means 34, 40 are provided with hydraulically operated locking pins 62 which may be inserted in one of several heightwise spaced openings 64 in the guide rail 30 after the manner disclosed in my above-mentioned copending application.

The pontoons materially assist in maintaining the stability of the barge during the submersion and raising operations and, hence, it is highly important that the buoyancyeffect of the pontoons be transmitted to the main structure at all stages of the operations. This is effected normally by the hydraulic rams 32, 38 which apply predetermined forces to the pontoons but, of necessity, these forces are reduced to zero when the anchoring means 34, 40 are released from the guide rails 30 during the adjustment of the operating range of the rams and thus the stabilizing forces that are transmitted through the rams to themain structure are lost during the adjusting operation.

In accordance with one of the features of my invention, this problem is overcome by the provision of hydraulically operated locking pins 66 mounted on the A-frame posts 52 which may be caused to engage in one of the recesses 64 in the guide rail 30 prior to release of the locking pin 62 in.the anchor of the hydraulic ram being adjusted.

Engagement of the locking pins 66 with a recess in the guide rail will thus lock the pontoon in position relative to the hull while the ram is being adjusted and the stabilizing force will be transmitted to the main structure through the pin 66 rather than pin 62.

The barge is stabilized during submersion by the pontoons 22 and 24 riding on the guide rails at either side. Once the hull is on the bottom, the pontoons are submergedand imbedded in the mud by the force applied by the hydraulic rams 32, 38. When the barge is to be moved, the pontoons are normally raised first so as to be in position to assist in maintaining stability of the barge during the raising operation. Difficulty may be encountered in raising the pontoon because of the suction that has formed between the pontoon and the bottom. The suction may be broken by lifting one end of the pontoon thus causing a tilting of the pontoon with respect to the bottom. In the illustrated barge, this tilting movement is effected by heightwise movement of the ram 32 which may be accompanied by a controlled removal of ballast from the aft end'of the pontoon 22. However, as the pontoon moves in a straight line heightwise of the barge due to the control exerted by the guide rail 30, provision must be made for a limited lateral movement in the con- 4 nection between the pontoonsand the main structure to accommodate for the tilting movement of the pontoons.

In accordance with another feature of my invention, this tilting movement is provided for by the connection between the'base 44 of A.-frame 36 and its cooperating C-shaped bearing shoe 60. As best shown in FIG. 4, this connection consists of a pin 68 projecting from the base 44 having an enlarged head 79 which is received in a transversely extending chamber 72 formed in the head of the'bearing shoe 60, the pin 68 extending through a narrow slot 74 opening from the chamber 72 to the face of the bearing shoe 60.

The dimensions 'ofthe connection are such that the pin 68 and the head 70 are snugly received in the chamber 72 and slot 74 so that while the pin 68 and head 7% may move laterally in the chamber and slot to accommodate for a limited lateral movement between the A-frame 36 and the bearing shoe 69 when the pontoon is tilted, a positive connection between the A-frame and bearing shoe is always provided upon any heightwise movement of the pontoonswith respect to the barge. In operation, when it is desired to tilt the pontoon 22, the ram 32 is moved in a heightwise direction causing a corresponding movement of the forward end of the pontoon which will pivot about the axis of pins 46, 48 connecting A-frame 42 to the aft portion of the pontoon, at the same time the pin 68 and head 70 Will cause a corresponding heightwise movement of the bearing shoe 60, while sliding laterally in the slot 74 and chamber '72 to compensate for the arcuate movement of the forward .A-frame 36 with respect to the straight line path of movement of the bearing shoe 60. Thus it is apparent that theillustrated device provides a floating hinge that ensures a four-point contact against the guide rail-s 30 and yet provides a horizontal slide connection permitting limited inclination of a pontoon with respect to the hull of a barge.

It will be understood that changes and variations may be made in the details of the illustrated embodiment herein described without departing from the spirit of the invention and it is desired to protect by Letters Patent all forms of the invention falling within the scope of the following claims. I

What is claimed is: 1 v

1. A barge for submarine operations comprising a main structure including a submersible. hull,

a submersible pontoon,

guide means between the mainstructure and the .pon-

toon,

pontoon support means .pivotaly connected to the pontoon, connecting means between the pontoon support means and the guide means permitting lateral motion between the pontoon and the main structure,

power-operated means for causing heightwise movement of the pontoon,

anchoring means for connecting the power-operated means at heightwise-spaced points along the guide means to vary the operational range of the poweroperated means, and

locking means for restraining heightwise motion between the pontoon and the main structure. h 2. A barge for submarine operations comprising a ull, g

a submersible pontoon adjacent to and outboard of the hull,

guide means between the hull and pontoon,

pontoon support means pivotally connected to the pontoon, connecting means between the pontoon support means and the guide means permitting lateral motion between the pontoon and the hull,

power-operated means operable between the pontoon support means and the guide means to cause heightwise motion of therpontoon,

anchoring means for connecting the power-operated means at heightwise spaced points along the guide means to vary the operational range of the power operated means, and

locking means operable between the pontoon support means and the guide means for restraining heightwise motion of the pontoon relative to the hull.

3. A barge for submarine operations comprising a main structure including a submersible hull and a working platform arranged above the hull,

submersible pontoons arranged adjacent to and outboard of the main structure,

pontoon support means pivotally connected to the pontoons,

guide means operable between the pontoon support means and the main structure,

connecting means between the pontoon support means and the guide means including a pin and slot coupling permitting lateral movement of the pontoon relative to the main structure,

hydraulic ram means operable between the pontoon support means and the guide means to cause heightwise movement of the pontoon relative to the main structure,

anchoring means for connecting the hydraulic .ram

means at heightwise spaced points along the guide means to vary the operational range of the hydraulic ram means, and

locking means operable between the pontoon support means and the guide means to restrain movement of the pontoon support means relative to the guide means.

4. A barge for submarine operations comprising a main structure including a submersible hull,

a submersible pontoon,

guide means between the main structure and the pontoon, pontoon support means between the guide means and the pontoon the pontoon support means being pivotally connected to the pontoon,

connecting means between the guide means and the pontoon support means including vertically slidable bearing members mounted on the guide means and coupling means between one of the bearing members and the pontoon support means permitting relative lateral movement between the guide means and the pontoon support means,

power-operated means for causing heightwise. movement of the pontoon, anchoring means for connecting the power-operated means at heightwise-spaced points to vary the operational range of the power-operated means, and

locking means between the pontoon support means and the guide means for restraining heightwise movement of the pontoon.

5. A barge for submarine operations comprising a main structure including a submersible hull,

an elongated submersible pontoon located outboard means and coupling means between one of the vertically slidable members and the pontoon support means permitting relative lateral movement between the guide means and the pontoon support means upon tilting of the longitudinal axis of the pontoon. 6. A ,barge for submarine operations comprising a main structure including a submersible hull,

a submersible pontoon means located outboard of the hull and arranged for heightwise movement with respect to the main structure,

a pontoon supporting member adjacent each end of the pontoon,

a vertically disposed guide rail adjacent each pontoon supporting member,

connecting means between each guide nail and the pontoon support member including vertically spaced slidable bearing members mounted on each guide rail and coupling means between one of the slidable bearing members and the adjacent pontoon support member permitting relative lateral movement between the guide rail and the pontoon support member upon tilting of the longitudinal axis of the pontoon,

power operated means for each pontoon support member arranged to cause heightwise movement of the pontoon with respect to the main structure,

anchoring means for connecting the power operated means at heightwise spaced points along the guide rails to vary the operational range of the power operated means, and

, locking means for restraining heightwise motion of the pontoon relative to the main structure.

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